Pretoria Capitals and MI Cape Town thrilled the Centurion crowd in SA20 with a high-scoring contest, totaling 417 runs. MI Cape Town's Reeza Hendricks and Dewald Brevis shone, scoring 77* and 73* respectively, setting a target of 222/3. Despite Will Smeed's valiant 52, the Capitals fell short at 195/8, ending their playoff hopes.
India pacer Harshit Rana made a unique record by making his T20I debut mid-match as a concussion substitute for Shivam Dube during the 4th against England in Pune. Rana's debut included taking a couple of wickets, making him the first player in a full member team to debut in this manner during a T20I.
India plans to tweak their playing XI with the return of Mohammed Shami and availability of Rinku Singh as they look to seal the T20 series against England in Pune. The team aims to optimize spin-heavy combinations and powerplay strategies against a formidable England side to secure victory and avoid a series decider in Mumbai.
Joburg Super Kings defeated league leaders Paarl Royals by seven wickets as their skipper Faf du Plessis led the run-chase with a commanding 87 from 55 deliveries to comfortably go past Royals' total of 150 for 9.
The 2025 Champions Trophy will omit the pre-tournament captains' photo-op due to varying team arrival schedules, including late arrivals of England and Australia. Consequently, India's captain, Rohit Sharma, will remain in Dubai with the team. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will host an event in Lahore prior to the tournament's commencement on February 19.
Virat Kohli returns to Ranji Trophy after 12 years, with Mohammad Kaif noting that Kohli's weakness against outside-off-stump deliveries still persists. As Kohli prepares for the ICC Champions Trophy, Kaif hopes he can overcome this flaw and regain form, benefiting Team India significantly.
MI Cape Town secured their maiden SA20 Playoff spot with a dominant 10-wicket win over Sunrisers Eastern Cape. Corbin Bosch and Kagiso Rabada's excellent bowling led to SEC being bowled out for 107, with openers Ryan Rickleton and Rassie van der Dussen guiding MICT to victory without losing a wicket.
The Desert Vipers secured a comprehensive five-wicket win over the Gulf Giants to confirm a top-two finish for themselves. Max Holden's 70 runs off 54 balls led the Vipers to victory in 19 overs, after an effective bowling display, headed by Wanindu Hasaranga and Sam Curran, restricted the Giants to a below-par total.
Pretoria Capitals kept their playoff hopes alive in SA20 with a dominant win over Joburg Super Kings, thanks to a brilliant bowling performance led by Migale Pretorius' 3 for 22. Pretoria easily chased down JSK's target of 99, powered by Marques Ackerman's 39, achieving victory in just 12 overs. Pretoria Capitals are now fifth on the points table.
Johnson Charles propelled the Sharjah Warriorz to a nine-wicket victory over Dubai Capitals in the ILT20, scoring 71 runs off 33 balls. His aggressive batting, along with Tom Kohler-Cadmore's unbeaten 54, ensured a successful chase in just 11.5 overs, keep the Warriorz's playoff hopes alive.
Mohammed Shami's return to international cricket was noteworthy, but Varun Chakravarthy stole the show with his maiden five-wicket haul. Despite Varun's performance, India struggled with the bat and lost by 26 runs to England in the third T20I. England's bowlers, led by Jamie Overton and Jofra Archer, kept the pressure on to restrict India to 146 for nine.
Geoff Allardice is stepping down as Chief Executive of the ICC after an influential tenure, just before the Champions Trophy tournament. Allardice, who joined the ICC in 2012, expressed pride in his achievements and gratitude to the cricketing community. ICC Chair Jay Shah praised his leadership. The board will now seek his successor.
Security has been heightened at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium for Virat Kohli's return to the Ranji Trophy in the match against Railways, beginning January 30. Kohli, who missed the last match due to a neck sprain, will draw a large crowd, prompting enhanced security measures.
Tom Banton's 55-ball 105 and Andre Fletcher's 96 off 50 balls propelled MI Emirates to a commanding total of 228 for 2 in the ILT20 match in Abu Dhabi. Their bowlers then dismantled the Desert Vipers, securing a comprehensive victory with ease.
Paarl Royals maintained their unbeaten home run in SA20, defeating Durban's Super Giants by six wickets. Pursuing 144, Dayyaan Galiem secured victory with a six off the penultimate delivery. Pretorius and Hermann's 91-run stand was crucial, while superb bowling from Maphaka and Fortuin restricted the Super Giants to 143 for 7.
Falcon Risers Hyderabad and Srinagar Ke Veer began their ISPL Season 2 campaigns with emphatic victories. Hyderabad triumphed over Chennai Singams by eight wickets, chasing 69 runs easily. Srinagar Ke Veer then dominated KVN Bangalore Strikers, winning by 10 wickets, with Sagar Ali scoring the season's first half-century.
In a decisive nine-wicket victory, Joburg Super Kings pacers Lutho Sipamla and Hardus Viljoen dominated the Sunrisers Eastern Cape. Sipamla and Viljoen's impressive performances with the ball restricted the Sunrisers to 118, while Devon Conway's stroke-filed unbeaten half-century led Super Kings' successful run-chase.
Dubai Capitals achieved a remarkable eight-wicket victory over the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Sunday. They successfully chased a daunting target of 204, led by a 135-run partnership between Shai Hope and Gulbadin Naib, setting a new record in ILT20 history.
Coldplay's lead singer Chris Martin dedicated a song to India's fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah during their concert in Ahmedabad. Bumrah, who attended the event, was seen enjoying the performance and blushing as Martin acknowledged him.
During an ILT20 match between Gulf Giants and MI Emirates, Tom Curran was prematurely run-out, but MI Emirates withdrew their appeal in a gesture of sportsmanship. This act allowed Curran to continue batting and ultimately helped Gulf Giants secure a two-wicket victory. The incident highlighted the importance of fair play in cricket, setting a benchmark for the sport.
The Gulf Giants secured a thrilling two-wicket win over MI Emirates in ILT20 Season 3, overcoming early setbacks and a tough bowling attack. Key contributions from Tom Alsop, Gerhard Erasmus, Tom Curran, and Mark Adair were crucial. Aayan Khan's last-over heroics sealed the victory, moving the team to fifth place on the points table.
Tilak Varma's unbeaten 72 guided India to a tense two-wicket win over England in the second T20I, giving the hosts a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Despite early wickets, Varma's resilience against England's bowling attack played a crucial role in India's success.
India clinched a thrilling two-wicket win over England in Chennai in the second T20I, with Tilak Varma's unbeaten 72 steering the team to victory after a top-order collapse. Ravi Bishnoi also played a crucial role, scoring 9 runs and praising Tilak's performance as one of the best in T20s. Their efforts secured a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Star cricketers returning to domestic cricket has been stressed as important for those aiming to play for India, with Varun Chakravarthy affirming that playing for Tamil Nadu has significantly aided his development. His performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy have contributed to his improvement and readiness for international matches.
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has recommended including young opener Sam Konstas in the playing XI for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. Ponting believes Konstas' earlier debut performance against India warrants him valuable experience in the challenging Sri Lankan conditions. He emphasizes investing in Konstas' Test career for future benefits.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders secured a 42-run victory over MI Emirates in the ILT20 Season 3 match at Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Player of the Match Alishan Sharafu scored 55 runs, while Jason Holder's cameo bolstered their total to 182/7. MI Emirates faltered early and despite Kieron Pollard's unbeaten 69, they ended at 140/7.
Rohit Sharma's much-anticipated return to the Ranji Trophy after a 10-year hiatus was cut short as he got out after scoring only three runs off 19 balls. His dismissal continues a worrying trend of poor form, raising concerns as he's set to lead India in upcoming ODI series and the Champions Trophy.
Dasun Shanaka's late innings blitz led the Dubai Capitals to a victory over the Gulf Giants at the Dubai International Stadium. Shanaka scored 34 off 10 deliveries, helping the Capitals chase down a target of 154 with five wickets in hand and eight balls to spare.
The Desert Vipers attained a dominant 10-wicket win over the Sharjah Warriorz in ILT20's third season, with Mohammad Amir taking four wickets and Fakhar Zaman scoring an unbeaten 71. Zaman and Alex Hales's aggressive start led the Vipers to a comfortable chase, solidifying their top position in the rankings at Dubai International Stadium.
Abhishek Sharma's explosive 79 off 34 balls, studded with 8 sixes and 5 fours, spearheaded India's emphatic seven-wicket victory over England in the first T20I at the Eden Gardens. Supported by disciplined bowling performances, India successfully chased down England's modest total of 132, with Varun Chakravarthy and Arshdeep Singh excelling leading the bowling effort.
CAB president Snehasish Ganguly backed head coach Gautam Gambhir amid India's cricket struggles, urging for more time. Despite the team’s poor performance, including losses to Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Ganguly highlighted Gambhir's past success with KKR. Ganguly also expressed excitement over Mohammed Shami's anticipated return against England.
In a thrilling match at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, MI Emirates triumphed over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 28 runs. Key performances by Romario Shepherd and Nicholas Pooran, coupled with effective bowling, sealed the win. Despite strong starts from both teams, MI Emirates' bowlers maintained control, leading to a compelling victory for the team.
India start the new year with the T20I series against England at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata after their Border Gavaskar Trophy loss to Australia. A day before the match, on Tuesday, head coach coach Gautam Gambhir sought blessings at the Kali Temple in Kalighat.
Hardik Pandya is highlighted as a crucial player for India's ICC Champions Trophy campaign by former Pakistani wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina. His all-round capabilities in batting and bowling are deemed essential for the team's success. The tournament will be held in Pakistan and the UAE from February 19 to March 9.
The Dubai Capitals ended the Desert Vipers' unbeaten streak with a six-wicket victory, thanks to strong bowling from Dushmantha Chameera and Zahir Khan, along with Gulbadin Naib's 78-run innings. Naib's performance guided the Capitals out of a three-match losing streak in the International League T20.
Virat Kohli is set to play Delhi's final Ranji Trophy group stage match against Railways from January 30 at Arun Jaitley Stadium. After resting for a neck sprain, he confirms his availability for domestic play. Kohli will join other notable players returning for their respective state teams ahead of international series commitments.
Cricket legends gathered at Wankhede Stadium for its golden jubilee, where notable Mumbai cricketers shared memorable experiences. Rohit Sharma, showing thoughtfulness, promised to strive for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy win, aiming to celebrate at Wankhede again. The Trophy Tour also marked the occasion. The Champions Trophy, which is on a Trophy Tour around all participating countries, was brought into the Wankhede to mark the occasion.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders claimed their second win in ILT20 Season 3, defeating Gulf Giants by 37 runs despite Aayan Afzal Khan's record-setting 4/16. Michael Pepper's half-century led the Knight Riders to 176/9, with the Giants struggling at 139/8. Sunil Narine highlighted the importance of teamwork and batting depth for future matches.
Sachin Tendulkar recounted requesting his final match to be in Mumbai so his mother could watch him play live for the first time. He shared emotional moments from that game and reflected on India's 2011 World Cup win at Wankhede, highlighting his profound experiences at the stadium. Sachin also reflected on another iconic moment at Wankhede—India's victory in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.
India captain Rohit Sharma and selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar announced the 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy. A viral video revealed Rohit's concerns over new BCCI guidelines, including family travel restrictions on long tours. Agarkar confirmed the implementation of a new travel policy document post Australia's series defeat.
The Gulf Giants secured their first victory of ILT20 Season 3 by defeating the Dubai Capitals by six wickets, thanks to a crucial 80-run partnership between Gerhard Erasmus and Shimron Hetmyer. Despite a challenging start, the Giants successfully chased down the target of 166 in 18.1 overs.
Ryan Rickelton led MI Cape Town to victory against Joburg Super Kings with a stunning 89 off 39 balls. Joe Root's unbeaten 92 powered the Royals to an eight-wicket win over Pretoria Capitals. Faf du Plessis crossed 11,000 T20 runs, and remarkable catches by fans were celebrated in both matches.
Avishka Fernando delivers a scintillating performance, scoring a blistering 81 off just 27 balls to lead the Sharjah Warriorz to a record-breaking chase against the Dubai Capitals in ILT20. Shai Hope's 83 anchored the Capitals to 201/5, but Fernando’s fireworks ensured the Warriorz’ triumph.
The Sunrisers Eastern Cape return to form with a 58-run bonus point victory over Durban's Super Giants at Kingsmead. Zak Crawley, Tom Abell, and Marco Jansen led the batting effort, while Liam Dawson and Simon Harmer spearheaded a sharp bowling performance, restricting the Giants to 107.
Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar praised Karun Nair’s outstanding performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, noting his remarkable average of 752 runs in seven innings, with five centuries. Nair’s achievements have led Vidarbha to the tournament final, where they will face Karnataka.
Fakhar Zaman's impressive 67 off 52 balls helped Desert Vipers secure a five-wicket win over MI Emirates at the Dubai International Stadium. Contributions from Alex Hales and Sam Curran were crucial in chasing down a target of 160. Despite a late effort from Kieron Pollard and Romario Shepherd, Zaman's performance was pivotal for the Vipers' victory.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday introduced strict guidelines to enforce discipline, unity, and professionalism among Indian cricket players, following recent failures in Australia. Measures include mandatory domestic match participation, travel guidelines, baggage limits, restrictions on personal staff, and commitment to official duties, with adherence ensuring eligibility and avoiding disciplinary action.
The BCCI mandated participation in domestic matches for national team selection and imposed restrictions on personal staff and families during tours after India’s poor performance in Australia. Players are also prohibited from personal shoots or endorsements during series, with non-compliance attracting penalties including fee cuts and potential IPL bans.